6 clear signs that your dating expectations are way too high

Whether you're a beginner in dating, just out of a long relationship, or have become a top athlete in dating: we all have standards, and it's not easy for everyone to keep them in balance. Some settle for someone who sends a good morning text once a month, while others are only satisfied if their date has spent a fortune on a bouquet of flowers and holds the car door open for them. Sure, it's handy to have certain standards to find out if that person fits your criteria, but it can also go too far. And in that sense, it can be unrealistic, leaving you with very few fish in the sea.

Here are the signs that you might be asking a bit too much during dating.

Everyone should have a ‘clean slate’

Many people drop out when it turns out that the other person had a life before you. Shocker. But guess what? Every person you meet has quite a bit of life experience, including in love, which might not sit well with you. Some already have children, others have been married before. And the older you get, the more you'll have to deal with this.

The spark must ignite immediately

This is associated with the ‘if you know, you know’ theory. In many cases, this probably happened too, but don't forget that for many couples around you, some time passed before they could say this about each other. Love at first sight is not always a given.

You write people off after one mistake

The smallest thing happens, and for you, that person is immediately crossed off the list. I'm the last one to say that you should give someone multiple chances if they do things that cross your boundaries, but that person must know your boundaries. It's up to you to communicate these clearly from the very beginning. The right person won't be scared off by this.

You compare everything to social media and movies

Who doesn't want a love story like in The Notebook or The Holiday? We all want that perfect picture, but don't fall for these unrealistic stories. Just like you should never compare yourself to couples who are all too eager to declare their love for each other on Instagram. They say social media is (often) fake for a reason.

You wait for others to make a move

So many people wait for others to make a move. Especially women tend to do this. But don't forget: not everyone dares to approach someone. Maybe that one person you have your eye on is also getting nervous about you. Help them out by giving a little hint, like a smile or prolonged eye contact, or have the guts to take the initiative and approach them yourself. Someone has to make the first move.

You compare everyone to a perfect couple you know

You probably know them: that one couple in your circle that you think has the perfect relationship. Everything they do for each other, you want too. But don't forget that Aunt Corrie and Uncle Henk's 40-year marriage started in a time when everything was different. They grew up in a different era with different norms and values. So don't expect handwritten love letters, because that might disappoint you. Nowadays, we have to make do with a text message, and that's okay.

You have higher standards for others

If you're looking for a partner who speaks four languages fluently, earns thousands of euros a month, has a nice car parked outside, and has traveled the world, that's perfectly fine. But if you've never been outside of Europe and spend at least six hours a day binge-watching Netflix, I wish you good luck finding your ideal partner. Because: you attract what you project. Keep that in mind.